How Does Drupal Stack Up Against WordPress for Theming and Compatibility?

If you're coming from a background of using JavaScript or OOP principles, you'll find that Drupal’s move toward modern practices—like using the Twig template engine—makes it quite appealing. The modules can be trickier compared to WordPress, as you'll need to rely on the command line more unless you’re comfortable with Composer. But when you grasp the structure, it becomes much more manageable.

Drupal is definitely more complex than WordPress. While you might have to write more code with Drupal, that code is usually more structured and easier to manage. However, the downside is that Drupal has stricter compatibility rules, and major updates can require a lot of work to transition. WordPress is much more forgiving in that regard, but it can lead to outdated coding practices hanging around for a long time. Drupal is mostly beneficial for larger, more complex projects, while WordPress can do just fine for simpler needs. Have you considered checking out Craft CMS as a middle ground?

I'll just say this: if you're looking for something more straightforward and quicker to set up, WordPress has that edge for user-friendliness. Drupal is more architecturally sound and generally more stable, which means fewer random plugin conflicts. But you'll face a steeper learning curve with Drupal, especially if your project requires intricate structures and permissions.

Having worked with both platforms for years, I found Drupal to offer a better developer experience, even if it can feel a bit abstract at times. While WordPress is easier to get up and running, once your team gets accustomed to Drupal, they might appreciate its power and flexibility. With current trends, many developers are moving to frameworks like Laravel, but Drupal remains strong for enterprise projects.

Drupal might seem like overkill for smaller sites, but for complex systems where you need advanced content management, it shines. Upgrades have become much simpler lately, and the support for security updates is solid. Just be prepared for a significant learning curve, but well worth it if you plan to build something robust.